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Using Grappling Dummies for Solo Wrestling

College-level wrestlers face similar challenges to other college-level athletes: balancing academic and athletic performance, hanging onto their scholarship, working with a team, and training their bodies as well as their minds.

However, while wrestlers have support behind them, they are ultimately alone during a match. It’s just them and their opponent. As such, it’s no wonder that college-level wrestlers often opt to introduce some solo training sessions into their program.

That’s where grappling dummies come in.

Grappling dummies are stuffed dummies used for practicing drills and techniques in wrestling and mixed martial arts. While they’re often scoffed at by different groups, there is no better way to train alone than with a grappling dummy. Here are a few key features to look for when shopping for--or recommending-- a grappling dummy for solo wrestling sessions.

Durability

Your grappling dummy will quite literally be beaten, thrown, dragged, and slammed. This makes durability one of the most important aspects to consider when purchasing a grappling dummy.

Look for heavy materials-- like high-quality polyester with a vinyl coating-- to withstand numerous assaults. Proper stitching is also a consideration: is heavy thread used? Are the stitches closely bound? Are weak areas reinforced? Chances are your opponent’s head isn’t going to get detached during a match, so you don’t want your inanimate opponent’s head to fly off either.

Flexibility

You need a balance between durability and a lifelike wrestling experience. If your grappling dummy is too stiff, you won’t be able to execute techniques swiftly and accurately. If that’s the case, you might as well fight a store mannequin--though we recommend avoiding this at all costs.

On the other hand, a certain amount of structure is necessary for durability and for realism. Your grappling dummy should offer some resistance, rather than submitting without applied force. Being able to flex and mold your grappling dummy will allow you to put them in various positions for your drills. More importantly, they’ll be able to smoothly flow back into a resting position when you’re done.

Size

When it comes to choosing a grappling dummy for solo training, proper weight and height measurements are crucial. According to the experts at Grappling Dummies 2018, “Grappling dummies are designed to resemble human beings as much as possible, so you want to be certain that you obtain a dummy that is the size of an average person you will be grappling with.”

You want your grappling dummy to weigh enough that you have to work to move it around, but not so much that it will cause injury during training. You also want its height to be comparable to your own, for a more lifelike experience. Most grappling dummies lack the ability to have the weight altered after purchasing, so choose wisely.

Individual Needs

A wrestler should purchase a grappling dummy with a certain need in mind. While some may be looking for something for general training practices, grappling dummies can also help fighters work on specific skillsets. This might result in more specialized features and equipment.

Before making a purchase, have a goal in mind. If you have come this far in your competitive career, making a plan is a necessity.

Going Solo

Using a grappling dummy for solo wrestling sessions adds an extra element of control and independence to your training protocol. You will not be bound by gym scheduling and training partner availability. You will have the ability to practice techniques that will help you overcome your opponents as frequently as you wish. You will be able to take your training-- and ultimately your wrestling career-- to the next level. All it takes is the right equipment and the driving force of your determination.